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I am running one set of SXT65Qs on my tower and one set of XM7s. Both off one Harpoon amp. Is there any special procedure I need to do to set my gain on there Harpoon or is it the same? Is it easy to tell when the HLCDs start to distort?

rd(David),
Sorry for the delay in answering your question.
In tuning the tower speakers you are generally listening for tell tale signs of the amplifier clipping and not necessarily speaker distortion.
I might describe clipping as when you notice that the volume may continue to increase in treble but the warmth no longer keeps pace, the sound becomes tinny, harsh, edgy or strident. Then back down from that point to where those characteristics have disappeared. Choosing the right program material to expose clipping is helpful. Something dynamic, dense, busy across the entire spectrum but clean. It doesn't have to be your favorites. No dirty downloads. No equalization in any form. Strictly highpass.
Not everyone has developed an ear for what clipping is. You need a good quiet environment. A helper is useful so that you can listen from atop the rear sunpad while the helper gains the amplifier higher and lower.
I've got to keep it fairly simple and generic here. We have a 7-page draft on tuning with another advanced draft for those that have more tolerance for the highly technical. But again, what Phil wrote and what Wetsounds provides is very good advice.

rd(David),
Sorry for the delay in answering your question.
In tuning the tower speakers you are generally listening for tell tale signs of the amplifier clipping and not necessarily speaker distortion.
I might describe clipping as when you notice that the volume may continue to increase in treble but the warmth no longer keeps pace, the sound becomes tinny, harsh, edgy or strident. Then back down from that point to where those characteristics have disappeared. Choosing the right program material to expose clipping is helpful. Something dynamic, dense, busy across the entire spectrum but clean. It doesn't have to be your favorites. No dirty downloads. No equalization in any form. Strictly highpass.
Not everyone has developed an ear for what clipping is. You need a good quiet environment. A helper is useful so that you can listen from atop the rear sunpad while the helper gains the amplifier higher and lower.
I've got to keep it fairly simple and generic here. We have a 7-page draft on tuning with another advanced draft for those that have more tolerance for the highly technical. But again, what Phil wrote and what Wetsounds provides is very good advice.

David
Earmark Marine

my hearing is already pretty bad and im really confident im not going to know what to look for. and standing on the sunpad with my xm7s screaming im sure will not help my hearing situation lol

David,
That's unfortunate and I'm sorry for your loss.
Swing it by a stereo shop if you have a local one that's good. They should be able to help for a nominal fee.
If you know someone with a scope then it can be used to visually identify the signs of clipping and remove any subjective perception. Again, a good stereo shop is also likely to have a scope. Once someone with an educated ear qualifies for you what clipping sounds like, you will forever be self-sufficient.

David,
That's unfortunate and I'm sorry for your loss.
Swing it by a stereo shop if you have a local one that's good. They should be able to help for a nominal fee.
If you know someone with a scope then it can be used to visually identify the signs of clipping and remove any subjective perception. Again, a good stereo shop is also likely to have a scope. Once someone with an educated ear qualifies for you what clipping sounds like, you will forever be self-sufficient.